Drop in Google Maps Visibility for a Hotel-Restaurant — Would Changing Categories Help?

[Kepass]

Hello everyone,
My client’s restaurant visibility on Google Maps has sharply declined, and he's convinced that changing his Google Business Profile category could fix it — I’m not so sure.


One of my clients owns a hotel-restaurant located in a summer tourist area.
This year, he noticed a significant drop in his visibility on the Google Maps Pack and on Google Maps in general, especially in the restaurant category.


To be fair, there are only four hotels in his area, so the drop may be less noticeable in that category.
My theory is that his rating is too low — currently 4.1 — and that his competitors have higher ratings and have also generated many more reviews recently, particularly positive ones.


I must say, my client hasn’t been very proactive about managing this aspect.
Now, he believes that if we change his Google Business Profile category from "Hotel" to "Restaurant", it will help improve his rankings.


Personally, I’m skeptical.
Given that he currently ranks 11th for the restaurant category, I don’t think this change will make much of a difference.
It might even hurt his performance overall — even though it’s peak season and his booking calendar is full at the moment.


I was wondering if anyone has encountered a similar situation?
Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance!

 

[keyserholiday]

Your client needs a second GBP for the restaurant. This is allowed.

 

[Lluc]

Like Jason suggested, if the restaurant is open to the public and not only caters to guests of the hotel, you should aim to have a GBP profile for each business. Does the restaurant have a different name to the hotel?

 

[Kepass]

The Restaurant is the same name I am afraid, but it is opened to public not only to guests. Actually guests are a tiny minority.

 

[keyserholiday]

The Restaurant is the same name I am afraid, but it is opened to public not only to guests. Actually guests are a tiny minority.

Does the restaurant have a different address and phone number?

 

[fisicx]

How do most hotel guests make a booking? If it through a booking website do they really need a GBP for the hotel?

Maybe you could change the profile to promote the restaurant not the hotel.

 

[keyserholiday]

How do most hotel guests make a booking? If it through a booking website do they really need a GBP for the hotel?

Maybe you could change the profile to promote the restaurant not the hotel.

There are several reasons for a hotel to have a GBP. People need to be able to get the phone number and address. People may want to look at the reviews and photos. You can check availability and pricing.

 

[fisicx]

It was just a thought. If they can only have one GBP for the location that focuses on the hotel maybe they could do a major marketing campaign for the restaurant. One assumes most diners will be local so SMM could do the job.

 

[Kepass]

Of course! Here's your improved and more polite version in English, with each sentence on a new line:

---

First of all, I would like to thank you for your help.


Indeed, the restaurant and the hotel both operate under the same name, at the same address, with the same phone number and even the same website.


After taking a closer look, I noticed that my Google Business Profile is actually listed as a hotel, since booking options are available.


However, the primary category is set to “restaurant,” which is rather odd.


I believe this might be due to the fact that, at one point, we ran Google Hotel Ads.


In short, it’s a bit complicated, but I think it could probably be resolved through Google Ads management!

---

Let me know if you'd like to adapt the tone further (e.g., more formal or more casual).

 

[keyserholiday]

Of course! Here's your improved and more polite version in English, with each sentence on a new line:

---

First of all, I would like to thank you for your help.


Indeed, the restaurant and the hotel both operate under the same name, at the same address, with the same phone number and even the same website.


After taking a closer look, I noticed that my Google Business Profile is actually listed as a hotel, since booking options are available.


However, the primary category is set to “restaurant,” which is rather odd.


I believe this might be due to the fact that, at one point, we ran Google Hotel Ads.


In short, it’s a bit complicated, but I think it could probably be resolved through Google Ads management!

---

Let me know if you'd like to adapt the tone further (e.g., more formal or more casual).

Your choices are to change your primary category, or change the name and phone number of the restaurant, and build out a separate website for the restaurant. You can keep the address the same. Here is an example of a restaurant located inside a hotel using the same address. If it were my client, I would go with option two and build out a second GBP.

 

[fisicx]

Looks like some market research is needed. Where do all the diners come from? How do they find the restaurant? Are they regulars or do they come once and never return?

Does the restaurant need its own website? Maybe get a second phone line installed.

It's possible the GBP doesn't even need to mention the restaurant.

 

[keyserholiday]

It was just a thought. If they can only have one GBP for the location that focuses on the hotel maybe they could do a major marketing campaign for the restaurant. One assumes most diners will be local so SMM could do the job.

The OP stated that this is a summer tourist destination. They need out-of-town guests to book the hotel. Creating a second GBP for the restaurant could increase foot traffic from out-of-town Airbnb guests.

 

[fisicx]

The OP stated that this is a summer tourist destination. They need out-of-town guests to book the hotel. Creating a second GBP for the restaurant could increase foot traffic from out-of-town Airbnb guests.

I agree. Probably my poor wording didn't make this clear.

 

[Kepass]

All answers here are super usefull thanks. I may give a try to second listing.

 

[Kepass]

Your choices are to change your primary category, or change the name and phone number of the restaurant, and build out a separate website for the restaurant. You can keep the address the same. Here is an example of a restaurant located inside a hotel using the same address. If it were my client, I would go with option two and build out a second GBP.

I have a couple of clients in Vegas too. Man ! That's another level. They have everything ready over there !!

 

[fisicx]

All answers here are super usefull thanks. I may give a try to second listing.

Start by setting up a separate website for the restaurant. Do this before trying to build a new GBP.